Why Wilpattu Should Be on Your Sri Lanka Itinerary
When people go to Sri Lanka they usually go to the safaris.. Wilpattu National Park is a better place to see animals. It is the national park in the country. Wilpattu has history forests that nobody has touched, natural lakes and amazing animals. This makes it a great place for people who want to see animals without all the crowds.
If you want to drive and see animals in peace Wilpattu is the place to go. You should really think about putting Wilpattu on your travel list.
What Makes Wilpattu Different?
Wilpattu is not like places with big open fields. Instead it has forests and more than 60 lakes that fill up with rain. These lakes are called villus. Animals go to these lakes all day long. This makes Wilpattu a place to see animals. The park looks really unique. You will not see anything like it in Sri Lanka.
The trees and plants are really dense in Wilpattu. So when you see an animal it is really exciting. If you see a leopard coming out of the forest or an elephant walking to a villu you will never forget it.
Wildlife Highlights
Wilpattu is one of the places in Sri Lanka to see animals. The park has different kinds of animals.
You might see:
🐾 Sri Lankan leopards
🐾 Asian elephants
🐾 Sloth bears
🐾 deer
🐾 Sambar deer
🐾 Wild boar
🐾 Mugger crocodiles
🐾 Water buffalo
🐾 Golden jackals
🐾 Grey langurs
🐾 Toque macaques
🐾 Monitor lizards
Wilpattu National Park is also home to than 200 kinds of birds. This makes it a great place, for people who like birds.
The Best Safari Experience
Morning safaris start early before the sun comes up and this is when the weather is cooler and the animals are out and about. The early morning is usually the time to see leopards and elephants and all sorts of birds with beautiful colours.
In the afternoons the light is golden. This makes it perfect for taking pictures of the wildlife. As the day starts to cool down the animals come out of the shade. You can see them more easily around the village.
If you have a lot of time you should think about going on a full-day safari so you can see the areas that you do not usually get to see on the shorter trips.
More Than Wildlife
One of the great things about Wilpattu is that it is near some of the most important cultural places in Sri Lanka.
After you finish your safari you can easily go to:
📍 Anuradhapura, which was the old capital of the island.
📍 Mihintale, where they first introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
📍 Tanthirimale Rajamaha Viharaya, which is a temple in the forest.
Seeing the wildlife. Learning about the history makes your trip more interesting.
Where to Stay
There are lots of places to stay around Wilpattu. They suit all kinds of budgets. You can choose a safari lodge with guides who know what they are doing or a tented camp that is good for the environment or a nice hotel or a family-run guesthouse, near the park entrance.
Many of the places you can stay offer packages that include everything, like transport and food and getting into the park and a guide who knows about nature and Wilpattu safaris and the wildlife.
Where to Stay
Accommodation near Wilpattu fits every budget. Travelers can pick luxury safari lodges that have guided game drives eco- tented camps that are surrounded by nature, cozy boutique hotels or guesthouses that are run by families close to the park entrance.
Many places provide all- safari packages that have transport, meals, park entrance and guides who know the wild areas well.
What to Pack
A planning makes your safari more fun.
Take:
Clothing that is in neutral colors
Shoes that are comfortable for walking
Binoculars
A camera that has a telephoto lens
A hat and sunglasses
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
A water bottle that can be used again and again
A light jacket for early morning safaris
Stay away from colors because they might bother animals.
Responsible Safari Travel
The beauty of Wilpattu relies on tourism. Stay inside your vehicle do not make noises never give food to animals and follow the speed limits, in the park. Picking guides who have experience helps protect animals while also giving you an idea of the parks special environment.
